Combination electrosurgical device

ABSTRACT

An electrosurgical device: forceps having: a first working arm, a second working arm, wherein the electrosurgical device has a first electrosurgical configuration where the first working arm and the second working arm are in an opposed position so that the forceps deliver a first therapy current that flows between the first working arm and the second working arm; and wherein the electrosurgical device has a second electrosurgical configuration when the first working arm, the second working arm, or both are repositionable relative to each other so that the first working arm is extended with respect to the second working arm or vice versa and a second therapy current is delivered from the first working arm to a remote electrode.

FIELD

The present teachings generally relate to an electrosurgical device thatcan supply both monopolar power and bipolar power during a surgicalprocedure, and specifically to electrical forceps that can bemechanically reconfigured and/or electrically reconfigured to provideboth monopolar power and bipolar power during open surgery.

BACKGROUND

Typically, electrosurgical devices have stand-alone monopolarcapabilities or bipolar capabilities. Thus, a surgeon before a procedurebegins may select either a device with monopolar capabilities or adevice with bipolar capabilities and the surgeon can use the device toapply either monopolar power or bipolar power. For example, if thesurgeon selects a monopolar device and monopolar power is not desiredfor the surgical procedure the surgeon may use either the device thatsupplies monopolar power to perform the procedure or switch to a devicewith bipolar capabilities. Both of these devices may be used to performthe procedure, however, switching between devices and/or using a devicethat may be better suited for a different purpose may disturb theprocedure flow, cause unnecessary delays in the procedure, and in somecases result in less than optimal energy sources being used.

Generally, electrosurgical devices are connected to a generator thatproduces a therapy signal and provides power to the electrosurgicaldevice so that a therapy current is produced. However, the therapycurrents that may be used are limited by the generator and thus if thegenerator is only capable of producing a single therapy current thenonly one therapy current can be applied through the electrosurgicaldevice. Additionally, a generator may be capable of producing twotherapy circuits, but the electrosurgical device may only be capable ofcontrolling and applying a single therapy current. Thus, theelectrosurgical device may only apply a single therapy current. Someattempts have been made to produce a device that includes both monopolarcapabilities and bipolar capabilities in a single device.

Examples of some electrosurgical instruments may be found in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,110,171; 6,113,596; 6,190,386; 6,358,268; and 7,232,440; and U.S.Patent Application Publication Nos. 2005/0113827; 2005/0187512;2006/0084973; and 2012/0123405 all of which are incorporated byreference herein for all purposes. It would be attractive to have anelectrosurgical device that may be switched between a firstelectrosurgical configuration (e.g., a bipolar configuration) and asecond electrosurgical configuration (e.g., a monopolar configuration)with one hand so that a user can easily perform a desired task withoutthe need to disrupt the flow of a procedure. It would be attractive tohave an electrosurgical device that may be used in open surgery asforceps and may be used for electrical cutting and/or hemostasis. Whatis needed is an electrosurgical device with both monopolar capabilitiesand bipolar capabilities where the monopolar capabilities aredeactivated during use as a bipolar device and where the forceps areimmobilized during use as a monopolar device. What is needed is anelectrosurgical device that produces more therapy currents than agenerator supplies signals (i.e., generator modes) to theelectrosurgical device. What is needed is an electrosurgical device thatis electrically reconfigurable so that the electrosurgical device hasfewer activation buttons then signals that the generator supplies (i.e.,generator modes) yet is capable of being electrically reconfigured toapply all of the signals from the generator.

SUMMARY

The present teachings meet one or more of the present needs byproviding: an electrosurgical device: forceps having: a first workingarm, a second working arm, wherein the electrosurgical device has afirst electrosurgical configuration where the first working arm and thesecond working arm are in an opposed position so that the forcepsdeliver a first therapy current that flows between the first working armand the second working arm; and wherein the electrosurgical device has asecond electrosurgical configuration when the first working arm, thesecond working arm, or both are repositionable relative to each other sothat the first working arm is extended with respect to the secondworking arm or vice versa and a second therapy current is delivered fromthe first working arm to a remote electrode.

Another possible embodiment of the present teachings comprises: anelectrosurgical system comprising: a handpiece including: a firstworking arm, a second working arm, and an activation circuit having afirst switch state and a second switch state, wherein a therapy currentis conducted between the first working arm and the second working armwhen the activation circuit is in the second switch state and thehandpiece is in a first position; wherein the therapy current isconducted between the first working arm or the second working arm, andan adjacent handpiece component when the activation circuit is in thesecond switch state and the handpiece is in a second position; andwherein the therapy current is not conducted when the activation circuitis in the first switch state.

Yet another possible embodiment of the present teachings provides: anelectrosurgical system comprising: a handpiece including: a first powerconnector; a second power connector; and one or more moveable membershaving a first position and a second position; and an activation circuithaving a first switch state and a second switch state, wherein theactivation circuit in the first switch state does not allow either afirst electrosurgical therapy signal or a second electrosurgical therapysignal to exit the handpiece; wherein when the activation circuit is inthe second state and the one or more moveable members are in the firstposition the activation circuit allows the first electrosurgical therapysignal to exit the handpiece so that a first therapy current extendsbetween the first power connector and the second power connector, andwherein when the activation circuit is in the second state and the oneor more moveable members are in the second position the activationcircuit allows the second electrosurgical therapy signal to exit thehandpiece so that a second therapy current extends between the firstpower connector and the second power connector

The teachings herein provide an electrosurgical device that may beswitched between a first electrosurgical configuration (e.g., a bipolarconfiguration) and a second electrosurgical configuration (e.g.,monopolar configuration) with one hand so that a user can easily performa desired task without the need to disrupt the flow of a procedure. Theteachings herein provide an electrosurgical device that may be used inopen surgery as forceps and may be used for electrical cutting and/orhemostasis. The teachings herein provide an electrosurgical device withboth monopolar capabilities and bipolar capabilities where the monopolarcapabilities are deactivated during use as a bipolar device and wherethe forceps are immobilized during use as a monopolar device. Theteachings herein provide an electrosurgical device that produces moretherapy currents than a generator supplies signals (i.e., generatormodes) to the electrosurgical device. The present teachings provide anelectrosurgical device that is electrically reconfigurable so that theelectrosurgical device has fewer activation buttons then signals thatthe generator supplies (i.e., generator modes) yet is capable of beingelectrically reconfigured to apply all of the signals from thegenerator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an electrosurgical device in a monopolarconfiguration;

FIG. 2 illustrates the electrosurgical device of FIG. 1 in a bipolarconfiguration;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 along lines 3-3;

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of another example of an electrosurgicaldevice being switched between a monopolar configuration and a bipolarconfiguration;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of one configuration of the tips of anelectrosurgical device in a bipolar configuration;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of one configuration of a tip of anelectrosurgical device in a monopolar configuration;

FIG. 7A illustrates an example of a bipolar configuration during use;

FIG. 7B illustrates a circuit diagram of the electrosurgical device in abipolar configuration;

FIG. 8A illustrates another possible configuration of an electrosurgicaldevice in a monopolar configuration;

FIG. 8B illustrates a circuit diagram of the electrosurgical device in abipolar configuration;

FIG. 9A illustrates an example a circuit diagram with an electrosurgicaldevice in an off position;

FIG. 9B illustrates an example a circuit diagram with an electrosurgicaldevice in a bipolar configuration;

FIG. 9C illustrates an example a circuit diagram with an electrosurgicaldevice in a monopolar configuration;

FIG. 10A illustrates an example a circuit diagram with anelectrosurgical device in an off position;

FIG. 10B illustrates an example a circuit diagram with anelectrosurgical device in a bipolar configuration;

FIG. 10C illustrates an example a circuit diagram with anelectrosurgical device in a monopolar coagulation configuration;

FIG. 10D illustrates an example a circuit diagram with anelectrosurgical device in a monopolar cut configuration;

FIG. 11A illustrates an example of a circuit diagram with anelectrosurgical device in device in an off position;

FIG. 11B illustrates an example of a circuit diagram with anelectrosurgical device in device in a bipolar configuration;

FIG. 11C illustrates an example of a circuit diagram with anelectrosurgical device in device in an alternative bipolarconfiguration;

FIG. 11D illustrates an example of a circuit diagram with anelectrosurgical device in a monopolar configuration;

FIG. 12A illustrates an example of a circuit diagram with anelectrosurgical device in a bipolar configuration;

FIG. 12B illustrates an example of a circuit diagram with anelectrosurgical device in a monopolar configuration;

FIG. 12C illustrates an example of a circuit diagram with anelectrosurgical device in an alternative monopolar configuration;

FIG. 13A illustrates an example of a circuit diagram of cablesassociated with the electrosurgical device; and

FIG. 13B illustrates another example of a circuit diagram and associatedcables.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended toacquaint others skilled in the art with the teachings, its principles,and its practical application. Those skilled in the art may adapt andapply the teachings in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to therequirements of a particular use. Accordingly, the specific embodimentsof the present teachings as set forth are not intended as beingexhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachingsshould, therefore, be determined not with reference to the abovedescription, but should instead be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references,including patent applications and publications, are incorporated byreference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as willbe gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporatedby reference into this written description.

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/787,731, filed on Mar. 15, 2013 and 61/864,157, filedon Aug. 9, 2013 the contents of which are incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety for all purposes. The present teachings relateto an electrosurgical device. Preferably, the present teachings relateto an electrosurgical device and associated componentry that form anelectrosurgical system. The electrosurgical system may be any systemthat includes one or more of the devices taught herein. Preferably, theelectrical surgical system includes at least an electrosurgical device.More preferably, the electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgicaldevice electrically connected to a generator. The electrosurgical systemmay include one or more handpieces as taught herein, one or more groundpads, one or more generators, one or more electrosurgical devices, oneor more adjacent handpiece components, or a combination thereof and theteachings herein of each device which are incorporated into theelectrosurgical system. The electrosurgical device may be any devicethat may be used by a surgeon to perform a surgical procedure. Theelectrosurgical device may function to be switched between two or moreconfigurations, two or more states, or both. For example, theelectrosurgical device may be switched between a monopolarconfiguration, a bipolar configuration, or a combination of both. Theelectrosurgical device may be any device that may be switched betweentwo or more configurations with one hand so that a user may switchbetween the configurations without the need for a second hand, withoutdisrupting the procedure, or both. The electrosurgical device may be anydevice and/or configuration that may be used ambidextrously,ambidextrously switched between configurations, or both. Theelectrosurgical device may be used to cut, perform hemostasis,coagulate, desiccate fulgurate, electrocautery, or a combinationthereof. The electrosurgical device may be any device that includesbipolar capabilities, monopolar capabilities, non-electrosurgicalcapabilities, or a combination thereof. The electrosurgical device maybe used in open surgery. In addition to its electrosurgical capabilitiesthe electrosurgical device may be used for non-electrosurgical purposes.For example, the electrosurgical device may be used as forceps,tweezers, or both that may be used to grip an object, an organ, a vein,skin, tissue, the like, or a combination thereof. The electrosurgicaldevice may include a handpiece and a generator. The electrosurgicaldevice may have one or more therapy signals that extend between thehandpiece and the generator.

The one or more therapy signals may be a signal, power, continuity, or acombination thereof. The one or more therapy signals may extend from thehandpiece to the generator or vice versa. The one or more therapysignals may be formed by the handpiece, formed by the generator, orboth. The electrosurgical therapy signals may be a therapy current.Preferably, the electrosurgical therapy signals indicate that a user hasperformed a step and a signal is being transmitted so that therapycurrent, energy, or both is generated. The electrosurgical therapysignals may provide a signal so that one or more therapy currents areproduced and the therapy currents may be used for electrosurgery. Theelectrosurgical therapy signal may be conducted when the activationcircuit is in the first switch state, the second switch state, a thirdswitch state, the handpiece is in a first position, a second position, athird position, or a combination of switch states and handpiecepositions. Preferably, a therapy signal is not generated, does not exitthe handpiece, or both when the activation circuit is in the firstswitch state. The electrosurgical therapy signal may be a monopolartherapy signal, a bipolar therapy signal, or both. The electrosurgicaltherapy signal may be a monopolar generator signal, a bipolar generatorsignal, or both. The monopolar therapy signal may be any signal that hasa voltage differential between a return port and an active port in thegenerator. The monopolar therapy signal may be any signal that whenapplied by the electrosurgical device extends: from one pole of anelectrosurgical device to another pole located at a remote location, offof the electrosurgical device (e.g., from the handpiece to a locationseparate from the handpiece), off of the handpiece, or a combinationthereof. The bipolar therapy signal may be any signal that has a voltagedifferential between two leads that are connected to the electrosurgicaldevice, that are located in the generator, or both. The bipolar therapysignal may be any signal that when applied by the electrosurgical deviceextends from one component of a handpiece to another component of thehandpiece (e.g., between two working arms, from a movable member to oneor both working arms, or both). An electrosurgical therapy signal, whenthe activation circuit is in the second state, may exit the handpiece sothat a therapy current extends from a moveable member, between the firstworking arm and the second working arm, between the moveable member andone or both of the working arms, or a combination thereof. The therapysignal may be generated and conducted from the handpiece to thegenerator.

The generator may function to supply: power, a therapy current, controlsignals, an electrosurgical therapy signal, electrically reconfiguresitself in response to a signal from the user and/or mechanicalreconfiguration by the user, physically reconfigures in response toadjustments by the user, or a combination thereof. The generator mayfunction to electrically connected to a handpiece to provide and/orreceive electrosurgical therapy signals, power, therapy current, or acombination thereof. The generator may be capable of producing only asingle therapy current. The generator may be capable of producing twotherapy currents. The generator may be capable of producing a pluralityof therapy signals. The therapy currents produced by the generator maybe provided by a voltage source in the generator or connected to thegenerator. The generator may include a voltage source, provide a voltagesource, be connected to a voltage source, transmit a voltage source, ora combination thereof. The voltage source may be activated by one ormore signals from the internal switches and/or CPU, the activationcircuit, or both. The voltage source may provide power to the handpiece,the electrosurgical device, the working arms, the bipolar arm, themonopolar electrode, through one or more pins, or a combination thereof.The generator may include two or more power connections or three or morepower connections. The power connections may be any pin in the generatorso that one or more power connectors of the handpiece may be pluggedinto so that power, control signals, therapy currents, or a combinationthereof are supplied to the electrosurgical device. The generator mayinclude one or more switches that may be switched between one or more ofthe power connections so that power, signals, or both may be selectivelyapplied to the electrosurgical device based upon a desired configurationof the electrosurgical device. The generator may include a centralprocessing unit (CPU). The CPU and the switches of the generator mayperform the same function. The CPU, the switches, or both may beinterchanged to power the electrosurgical device. The CPU mayelectrically reconfigure the electrosurgical device without the need forphysical reconfiguration. The CPU may be any device that provides power,signals, electrical reconfiguration, a switch between two or moretherapy currents, a switch between two or more configurations, a switchbetween two or more therapy signals, or a combination thereof to theelectrosurgical device so that the electrosurgical device may be used toperform a desired function as is discussed herein. The CPU may be usedto switch the electrosurgical device between first electrosurgicalconfiguration, a second electrosurgical configuration, a thirdelectrosurgical configuration, a monopolar configuration, a bipolarconfiguration, a non-electrosurgical configuration, or a combinationthereof.

The first electrosurgical configuration, second electrosurgicalconfiguration, and third electrosurgical configuration may be anyconfiguration such that the electrosurgical device is mechanicallyreconfigured, electrically reconfigured, signally reconfigured and/ordifferent, or a combination thereof. The first electrosurgicalconfiguration, second electrosurgical configuration, and thirdelectrosurgical configuration may be any of the various configurationsdiscussed herein. The first electrosurgical configuration may provide afirst therapy current.

The first therapy current may be monopolar energy and/or monopolarcurrent. Preferably, the first therapy current is bipolar energy and/orbipolar current. Bipolar energy may be any power source that duringapplication extends from one pole of an electrosurgical device toanother pole on the electrosurgical device. Stated another way, bipolarenergy is energy that extends from one component of the handpiece toanother component of the handpiece. Preferably, between two physicallyconnected components of the handpiece. For example, energy that extendsbetween two working arms on the handpiece is bipolar energy. The firstelectrosurgical configuration may be deactivated by electricallydisconnecting the one or more first activation buttons, deactivating theone or more first activation buttons, covering the one or more firstactivation buttons, electrically disconnecting all or a portion of anactivation circuit, covering the one or more first activation buttons,or a combination thereof. The first electrosurgical configuration may bedeactivated and a second electrosurgical configuration activated.

The second electrosurgical configuration may provide a second therapycurrent. The second therapy current may be bipolar energy (e.g., bipolarcurrent or bipolar power). Preferably, the second therapy current may bemonopolar energy (e.g., monopolar current or monopolar power). Monopolarenergy may be any power source that during application extends from onepole of an electrosurgical device to another pole located at a remotelocation, off of the electrosurgical device, off the handpiece, or acombination thereof. Stated another way, monopolar energy is energy thatextends from one component of the handpiece to a component that is notphysically part of the handpiece. For example, energy that extends fromone or both working arms to a remote electrode (e.g., ground pad), whichmay be directly and/or indirectly electrically connected, is monopolarenergy. The second electrosurgical configuration may be deactivated byelectrically disconnecting the one or more second activation buttons,electrically disconnecting all or a portion of an activation circuit,covering the one or more second activation buttons, electricallydisconnecting one or both working arms, shorting the first working armwith the second working arm, or a combination thereof. Deactivating thesecond electrosurgical configuration may only deactivate the secondelectrosurgical configuration, disconnect the second electricalconfiguration, deactivate both the first electrosurgical configurationand the second electrosurgical configuration, may deactivate so that athird electrosurgical configuration may be used, covering the secondactivation button and/or the third activation button, or a combinationthereof.

The third electrosurgical configuration may be any electrosurgicalconfiguration, a non-electrosurgical configuration, or both so that theelectrosurgical device may be used to perform a procedure. Preferably,the third electrosurgical configuration is a non-electrosurgicalconfiguration. The non-electrosurgical configuration may be anyconfiguration where power is not supplied to the handpiece, the two ormore working arms, or a combination thereof. The non-electrosurgicalconfiguration may be used when the electrosurgical device is being usedas forceps, tweezers, a clamp, Kelley hemostat forceps, scalpel, or acombination thereof. In the non-electrosurgical configuration theworking arms may be mobile. In the non-electrosurgical configuration theworking arms may be immobilized. In the non-electrosurgicalconfiguration the therapy current may not pass through the handpiece,the working arms, the electrosurgical device, or a combination thereof.

The therapy current that extends through the handpiece may be effectedby a signal and or current from the generator; a switch state of theactivation circuit (e.g. first switch state, second switch state, thirdswitch state, etc. . . . ); a hand piece position (e.g., first position,second position, third position, etc. . . . ); or a combination thereof.For example, the therapy current may be monopolar energy when thehandpiece is in the second position and the activation circuit is in thesecond switch state. However, the therapy current may be bipolar energywhen the handpiece is in the second position. In another example, thetherapy current may be a bipolar energy when the handpiece is in thefirst position and the activation circuit is in the first switch state.The first switch state may be an open switch, an open circuit, or both.The second switch state may be a closed circuit, may power theactivation circuit, may transmit a signal, or a combination thereof. Thefirst electrosurgical configuration, second electrosurgicalconfiguration, and third electrosurgical configuration may be anyconfiguration that may perform one or more of the functions as discussedherein for the monopolar configuration, bipolar configuration, andnon-electrosurgical configuration and each of those functions isincorporated herein. Preferably, as discussed herein the firstelectrosurgical configuration is a bipolar configuration, the secondelectrosurgical configuration is a monopolar configuration, and thethird electrosurgical configuration is a non-electrosurgicalconfiguration.

The device when in a monopolar configuration may supply power through ahandpiece component (e.g., a working arm and/or a monopolar electrode)and a return electrode (e.g., a ground pad) that may be located atanother location outside of the hand held portion of the electrosurgicaldevice, through a handpiece component and an adjacent handpiececomponent, or both. The monopolar configuration may be any configurationwhere the electrosurgical device may be used to apply monopolar power.The monopolar configuration may be used to cut tissue, coagulate bloodand/or fluids, electrical cutting, hemostasis, apply power to a largearea, or a combination thereof. The monopolar configuration may be usedto heat a specific area, heat an object between both electrodes, incontact with both electrodes, or a combination thereof. A monopolarconfiguration may be used so that power during use extends from one ormore working arms or one or more remote electrodes (e.g., ground pads)so that the one or more extended working arms may be used for delicateelectrosurgery, localized electrosurgery, coagulation, cutting, or acombination thereof. The monopolar electrosurgery may be used for lessdelicate procedures, less localized electrosurgery, or both whencompared to bipolar electrosurgery. The monopolar electrosurgery therapycurrent may extend a greater distance when compared to bipolarelectrosurgery. The monopolar therapy current may extend from amonopolar electrode to a ground pad.

The ground pad may function to complete a circuit, act as a second poleof a device, be located at a distal location and receive power from themonopolar electrode and/or a working arm, or a combination thereof. Theground pad may be located a distance from the handpiece so that powerflows from the monopolar electrode to the ground pad. The ground pad maybe on when the electrosurgical system is in a monopolar configuration, abipolar configuration, or both. Preferably, the ground pad is onlypowered when the electrosurgical system is in the monopolarconfiguration. More preferably, the ground pad may be turned off in abipolar configuration.

The device when in a bipolar configuration may supply power from oneportion of the device to a second portion of the device so that thereturn path for the power is relatively short when compared to themonopolar configuration. The bipolar configuration may be anyconfiguration where the electrosurgical device may be used to applybipolar power. The device when in the bipolar configuration may supplypower between two localized handpiece components such as two workingarms. The bipolar configuration may be used to coagulate, forhemostasis, cutting, fulguration, or a combination thereof. When in thebipolar configuration the electrosurgical device may include twoopposing working arms. The two opposing working arms may be configuredas forceps.

The forceps may function to grip, hold, squeeze, or a combinationthereof one or more objects. The forceps may include one or more fingergrips (i.e., configured like scissors) that may be used to move theforceps so that they may be used to grip one or more objects. Theforceps may be free of finger grips and be actuated by direct pressurebeing applied to opposing sides of the forceps so that the forceps closeand grip an object. The forceps include at least two working arms.

The working arms may be any part of the electrosurgical device that maybe used to grip, hold, squeeze, or a combination thereof an object whenthe object is between the two or more opposing working arms. The workingarms may include one or more gripping features that may assist ingripping, holding, squeezing, or a combination thereof an object. Theworking arms may be movable between two or more positions. Preferably,the working arms are movable between at least a first position and asecond position. For example, the working arms may be movable between abipolar configuration (e.g., first position) and a monopolarconfiguration (e.g., second position). The working arms in the firstposition may be off, energized, one working arm may be energized, or acombination thereof. The working arms in the second position may be off,one or both of the working arms may be electrically disconnected, one orboth of the working arms may be electrically connected, one working armmay be shorted by the other working arm, or a combination thereof. Morepreferably, in the second position one or both of the working arms areimmobilized so that the working arms cannot be used a forceps. Theworking arms may be longitudinally static and moveable relative to eachother. Preferably, at least one of the working arms is bothlongitudinally movable (e.g., movable along the length of the handpiece)and laterally movable (e.g., movable towards and away from an opposingworking arm). More preferably, one working arm is longitudinally movable(e.g., retractable) and one working arm is longitudinally static. Thelongitudinally static working arm may be a monopolar electrode. Themonopolar electrode may apply a monopolar therapy current. The monopolarelectrode may remain extended in the monopolar configuration. Power maybe applied between the monopolar electrode and the ground pad. Themonopolar electrode may apply power to the ground pad when the bipolararm is retracted. The bipolar arm may be a working arm that is movablebetween a retracted position and an extended position. Power may beapplied between the bipolar arm and the monopolar electrode. The bipolararm may be movable between a bipolar position (e.g., extended) and amonopolar position (e.g., retracted). The working arms may belongitudinally moveable and may be moveable relative to each other sothat a gripping force may be created. The working arms may beretractable and/or extendable individually, simultaneously, or both. Theworking arms may be selectively retractable and/or extendable so thatone or more tip regions are exposed.

The working arms may include a tip region. The tip region may include aportion that is configured to assist in facilitating gripping, holding,squeezing, or a combination thereof tissue, an organ, skin, a vein, afeature of interest, or a combination thereof. The tip region may beconfigured in one or more electrosurgical configurations (e.g., amonopolar configuration, bipolar configuration, or a combination ofboth). The tip region may include teeth, serrations, mouse teeth, befree of teeth (i.e., smooth), or a combination thereof. The tip regionmay be fully and/or partially insulated. Preferably, the tip regionincludes insulation on the non-contact portions of the working arms sothat electrosurgical energy is not transferred through incidentalcontact. The working arms may include an active portion and an inactiveportion (i.e., an insulated portion).

The active portion may be any portion of the device that may be used toapply power. The active portion may be the same portion as the contactregions, the tip region, or both of the forceps. Thus, for example, whentissue is grasped between the contact portions of the forceps, power maybe supplied to the tissue through this contact portion. The activeportion of the working arms preferably is between the two opposingworking arms, the active portion during a monopolar configuration ispart of a single working arm, or both. The active portions may besubstantially surrounded by inactive portions or portions that areinsulated. The inactive portion may be any portion that does not supplypower, that is insulated, or both. The inactive portion may preventstray current from passing from the handpiece, one or both working arms,the monopolar electrode, the bipolar arm, or a combination thereof. Theinactive portion may be any portion that may prevent a transfer powerthrough incidental contact and thus are insulated so that an incidentaltransfer of power does not occur. For example, an outside of the workingarms may be coated with an insulating material so that if the workingarms accidentally contact tissue proximate to the tissue of interest theproximate tissue is not subjected to a transfer of power. The inactiveportion and the active portion may be made of different materials,coated with different materials, or both.

The working arms may be made of any material that may be used to grip,hold, squeeze, or a combination thereof and provide monopolar power,bipolar power, a therapy current, a gripping force, or a combinationthereof to a desired location. The working arms may be made of onematerial and the tip region of each working arm may include, be coatedwith, or both one or more materials that may be insulating, a higherthermal conductivity than the base material, a lower thermalconductivity than the base material, or a combination thereof. Each ofthe working arms include a material with a thermal conductivity and thethermal conductivity of the working arms may be the same, one workingarm may be higher than the other working arm. The one or more workingarms may include one or more materials along the length of the workingarm. For example, the working arms may be entirely made of stainlesssteel. Preferably, each working arm includes two or more materials. Forexample, the working arms may have a base material of stainless steeland the working arms may be coated with an insulating material such assilicone or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The working arms may includeany material that is safe for use in a surgical procedure, andpreferably and electrosurgical procedure. The working arms may includemetals, plastics, a polymer, an elastomer, gold, silver, copper,titanium, aluminum, iron based metals, stainless steel, silicone,polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), insulating polymers, rubber, or acombination thereof. Preferably, each working arm is substantiallycoated with an insulating material except for a contact region betweenthe two working arms where the working arms contact each other. Theworking arms may be coated in regions where the user contacts theworking arms. The working arms may have an active portion and a passiveportion, an inactive portion, or both. For example, the active portionmay be the metal that extends through the working arms and is used toprovide monopolar energy, bipolar energy, gripping capabilities, holdingcapabilities, squeezing capabilities, or a combination thereof. Thepassive portion may be a portion that houses the active portion. Thepassive portion may be a housing.

The working arms may be located within a housing. The working arms maybe moved into and out of the housing so that in some positions thehousing insulates the working arms. The housing may be any part of thedevice that may include one or more working arms and be gripped by auser during use. The housing may electrically connect, mechanicallyconnect, or both the two working arms. The housing may be a pivot pointso that the two working arms may be moved when the housing iscompressed. The housing may substantially surround the working arms sothat only the tip regions extending out of the housing and are exposed.The housing may surround an outer side of the working arms and an innerside of the working arms may be exposed. The housing may be electricallyconnected to a power source and provide power to each of the workingarms. The housing may be electrically insulating. The housing mayinclude one or more activation buttons, one or more activation circuits,one or more printed circuit boards and associated controls, one or moreshuttles, one or more wires, one or more conductors, or a combinationthereof.

The two or more working arms may be immobilized by an immobilizationfeature. The immoblization feature may be any feature that immobilizesone or both of the working arms so that the forceps are disabled in themonopolar configuration (e.g., the working arms are prevented fromlaterally moving). The immobilization features may be part of the arms,part of the housing, all or a part of the shuttle, or a combinationthereof. The immobilization features may be a track that extends alongall or a portion of each arm and as the shuttle is moved forward orbackward to the monopolar configuration, each track may extend intocommunication with the shuttle so that each of the working arms aremoved into contact with each other and vice versa from the bipolarconfiguration. The immobilization feature may be a lock, a fastener, apiece that houses all or a portion of the working arms, or a combinationthereof that locks the two working arms together, locks one or bothworking arms in a retracted position, prevents both working arms frombeing simultaneously retracted, or a combination thereof. Theimmobilization feature may be a piece that slides and compresses theworking arms, a piece that twists and radially compresses the workingarms, or a combination of both. The immobilization feature may beconnected to, include, be separate from, or a combination thereof a biasdevice.

The bias device may function to retract and/or advance one or morecomponents of the electrosurgical device. The bias device may functionto separate the working arms of the electrosurgical device when in thebipolar configuration. The bias device may push the shuttle forward intoa bipolar configuration, pull one or both of the working arms back toform a monopolar configuration, or a combination thereof. The biasdevice may ensure that the shuttle, working arms, a movable member, or acombination thereof are in a fully extended and/or fully retractedstate. For example, if a user moves a shuttle towards a forward positionand stops short, the bias device may complete the movement to a finalposition. The bias device may assist in moving any of the devices and/orfeatures discussed herein so that the devices and/or features arebi-stable. For example, the bias device may ensure that the working armsare always either fully extended or fully retracted and not locatedtherebetween. The bias device may be a spring, a piece of rubber, anelastomeric piece, a bend in metal that forms a bias surface, or acombination thereof. If the bias device is bent metal the metal maycurve so that the bias device extends in more than one plane. Forexample, the bias device may be bent so that the bias device issubstantially “J” shaped and the tip of the “J” may be bent towards thebody of the “J” so that a spring force is created. The first plane maycontact a first surface and the second arm may contact a second surfaceso that two opposing electrosurgical components are moved. The biasdevice may be ramped so that a working arm, a moveable member, or bothmay be extended away from the handpiece, may be moved into a secondplane, biased, or a combination thereof. The bias device may beconnected to a shuttle, between the working arms, on an end of one orboth working arms, or a combination thereof.

The shuttle may be any device that covers one or more activationbuttons, moves one or both working arms, immobilizes and/or electricallydisconnects one or more features of the electrosurgical device and/oractivation circuit, immobilizes one or more activation buttons, impedesmovement and/or depression of one or more activation buttons, or acombination thereof. The shuttle may be a shield that covers theactivation buttons that are not in use so that one or more of theactivation buttons are protected from contact. For example, when theelectrosurgical device is configured for bipolar use, the shuttle maycover the monopolar activation buttons and expose the bipolar activationbuttons or vice versa. The shuttle may include a device that extendsunder, around, though, or a combination thereof one or more activationbuttons so that movement of the one or more activation buttons isimpeded, prevented, or both. For example, when the shuttle is moved aportion of the shuttle may extend under one or more of the one or moreactivation buttons so that a user is unable to depress the button toprovide power, electricity, a therapy current, or a combination thereof.The shuttle may include one or more positions. Preferably, the shuttleincludes at least a first position and a second position (i.e., a firstelectrosurgical configuration and a second electrosurgicalconfiguration). The shuttle in the first position, the second position,or both may perform any of the functions discussed herein for theshuttle. The shuttle may be connected to one or more other devices thatmay be retracted. For example, the shuttle may be connected to oneworking arm and the shuttle may be used to move the working arm intoand/or between a monopolar configuration and a bipolar configuration.The shuttle may be integrally connected to one or both working arms. Theshuttle may lock a device in a position, immobilize one or more workingarms, or both. The shuttle may lock by a detent, a projection that locksin a corresponding recess, a mechanical interlock, a friction fit, amechanical lock, or a combination thereof. The shuttle may be connectedto one or both working arms of the electrosurgical device. The shuttlemay be connected to the housing and slide on a track so that when theshuttle is extended towards a monopolar position all or a portion ofeach working arm is contacted by the shuttle so that the arms are moved,immobilized, or both. The shuttle in a first position may activate aportion of an activation circuit and disable a portion of an activationcircuit and when moved into a second position may switch so that adifferent portion of the activation circuit is activated and a differentportion is deactivated.

The activation circuit may be any part of the electrical surgicalsystem, handpiece, or both that may be activated so that one or moretherapy currents are generated, applied, supplied, prevented from beingsupplied, or a combination thereof. The activation circuit mayelectrically connect two or more components, electrically activate twoor more components, provide a user interface, may electrically connectone or more components with a generator, or a combination thereof. Theactivation circuit may be connected to the generator by one or moreports. Preferably, the activation circuit and generator are connected bya plurality of ports. The activation circuit may be connected to thegenerator by two or more ports or three or more ports. The ports may bean upper port, a middle port, a lower port, a first port, a second port,or a combination thereof. The activation circuit may include one or moreswitches and preferably a plurality of switches. Each of the switchesmay have one or more switch states. Preferably, each switch includes atleast a first switch state and a second switch state. Each switch mayinclude a neutral position (e.g., a third switch state). The activationcircuit may have two or more switch states or three or more switchstates. The activation circuit may have a first switch state and asecond switch state. Preferably, the activation circuit has two switchstates (e.g., on or off). The activation circuit may have three switchstates (e.g., off, high, or low). The first switch state may be off, notprovide a therapy signal, not provide a first therapy signal, notprovide a second therapy signal, not provide a third therapy signal, ora combination thereof. The first switch state may prevent a therapysignal from being produced, prevent a therapy signal (e.g., a firsttherapy signal, a second therapy signal, etc. . . . ) from exiting ahandpiece, prevent communication between the handpiece and thegenerator, or a combination thereof. The second switch state may be on,provide a therapy signal, provide a first therapy signal, provide asecond therapy signal, provide a third therapy signal, or a combinationthereof. The second switch state may provide a therapy current betweenthe first working arm, the second working arm, the remote electrode(e.g., ground pad), a moveable member, or a combination thereof; producea therapy signal; allow a therapy signal to exit the handpiece; allowcommunication between the handpiece and a generator; or a combinationthereof. For example, when the ground pad is electrically disconnectedand the activation circuit is in the second switch state, a therapycurrent may be conducted between both working arms. The activationcircuit may include one or switches that each include the switch statesdiscussed herein. Preferably, the activation circuit includes one ormore activation buttons and/or is one or more activation buttons thatmay be moved and/or activated into the one or more switch statesdiscussed herein. The activation circuit and/or electrosurgical devicemay include one or more switches, one or more selectors, or both.

The selector may function to select between one or more modes and/or oneor more functions. Preferably, the selector allows a user to selectbetween a plurality of different modes and/or functions. The selectormay change voltage, current, power, duty cycle, frequency or acombination thereof sent from the voltage source to the electrosurgicaldevice, the working arms, the handpiece, the ground pad, or acombination thereof. The selector may change modes and/or functions bychanging voltage, current, duty cycle, frequency, or a combinationthereof. The selector may switch between one or more ports in theactivation circuit and the one or more ports may communicate to a CPUthe desired electrosurgical function to perform. The selector may beautomatically moved when the blade electrode is extended and retracted.Preferably, the user may set the selector to a desired mode and/orfunction. The selector may power one or more functions and/or modessimultaneously. The selector may adjust the ports of the generatorconnected to the activation circuit. The selector may select betweendifferent ports of the generator so that modes and/or functions of thegenerator may be changed. The electrosurgical device may include abutton that locks the configuration of the blade electrode, allows theblade electrode to rotate, or both.

The one or more buttons (e.g., one or more activation buttons) may beany button that controls one or more functions of the electrosurgicaldevice. The one or more buttons may control the bipolar power (i.e., abipolar activation button), the monopolar power (i.e., a monopolaractivation button), a bipolar cut setting, bipolar coagulation setting,a therapy current, rotation of one or both working arms, extensionand/or retraction of one or both working arms, or a combination thereof.Preferably, a first button having a first color and/or configuration maybe for applying a first therapy current and a second button having asecond color and/or configuration may be for applying a second therapycurrent. The one or more buttons may be exposed and/or unlocked by theshuttle as the shuttle moves, one or both of the working arms move, orboth to and/or from a monopolar configuration to a bipolar configurationor vice versa. For example, the monopolar activation button may only beexposed when the shuttle, one or both working arms, or both are in themonopolar configuration. The monopolar activation button, the bipolaractivation button, or both may turn on power to the respective electrodeso that power is supplied to the area of interest. One or both workingarms when extended may activate a circuit, a switch, or both.

The circuit may have a switch that switches between the monopolarconfiguration, the bipolar configuration, or both. The switch mayactivate one or more of the bipolar electrodes and deactivate the remoteelectrode (e.g., ground pad or return pad) or vice versa; activate oneor more bipolar electrodes (e.g., a single extended working arm) anddeactivate one or more monopolar electrodes (e.g., a single retractedworking arm) or vice versa; deactivate one bipolar electrode and leavethe bipolar electrode open (i.e., not powered); deactivate the groundpad; deactivate all of the bipolar electrodes; or a combination thereof.The monopolar electrode, one or more of the bipolar electrodes, or bothmay be connected to an alternating current power source, a directcurrent power source, or both. Preferably, the monopolar electrodes, thebipolar electrodes, or both are connected to an alternating currentpower source. The monopolar electrodes, the bipolar electrodes, or bothmay be indirectly connected to a power source through a handpiece.

The handpiece may be any part of the device that the user grips, thathouses one or more of the control buttons, one or more switches, one ormore electrical connectors, one or more diodes, one or more capacitors,or a combination thereof. The handpiece may house all or a portion ofthe control circuitry, a central processing unit, or both. The handpiecemay electrically connect the electrosurgical device, the electricalsystem, or both to the generator. The handpiece may both physicallyconnect the functional elements of the electrosurgical device andelectrically connect the elements of the electrosurgical device. Thehandpiece may include a housing and/or be covered by a housing. Thehandpiece may be a body portion of the electrosurgical device, a portionbetween the two or more working arms, a connector between the two ormore working arms, a part that houses all or a portion of the circuitry,a part that includes an activation circuit, a part that includes one ormore control buttons, or a combination thereof. Preferably, thehandpiece is the portion that a surgeon grips and presses one or morebuttons to apply power to a desired location. More preferably, thehandpiece is a central portion that includes both buttons and one ormore electrical connectors for supplying power to the electrosurgicaldevice, one or both of the working arms, a return electrode, or acombination thereof. The handpiece may include one or more movablemembers, one or more handpiece components, or both that move alongand/or within one or more tracks of the handpiece.

The one or more tracks may be any device that longitudinally extendsalong the handpiece so that one or more movable members, one or moreworking arms, or both may be movable along the handpiece. The one ormore tracks may be an integral part of the handpiece, a discrete piecethat is added to the handpiece, or both. The one or more tracks may forma tongue and groove configuration with a movable member, one or moreworking arms, or both so that the moveable member, the one or moreworking arms, or both are only longitudinally movable and not laterallymoveable. The one or more tracks may extend substantially the entirelength of the handpiece, a portion of the length of the handpiece, orboth. Preferably, the tracks are long enough so that a moveable member,a working arm, or both may be longitudinally movable between an extendedposition and a retracted position. The tracks may be long enough so thatone of the working arms may be retracted so that a tip of the workingarm in the retracted position does not extend beyond the working arm.Preferably, the tracks are two generally parallel edges that extendalong a longitudinal axis and include a gap between the edges so that aguide lock extends between the edges. The tracks may extend along thelength of the handpiece in a way so that the moveable member, one orboth working arms, or both extend and retract in a straight line.Preferably, the tracks extend at an angle so that the moveable member,one or both working arms, or both are moved towards the handpiece duringretraction (e.g., into a position so that they are protected by thehandpiece) and away from the handpiece during extension. The one or moretracks may curve at a termination point so that the moveable member, oneor both working arms, or both extend away from the handpiece, the guidelocks exit the tracks, or both in an extended position. For example, theguide lock may exit the tracks when the guide lock reaches thetermination point so that a working arm extends away from the handpieceand may be used as forceps. The one or more bias devices may work inconjunction with the tracks and the termination point. For example, thebias device may be “J” shaped and be located between two tracks and theguide lock may be maintained within the tracks until the guide lockreaches a termination point of the tracks where the tracks curve up andthe bias device moves into a second plane so that the bias device movesthe guide lock away from the handpiece and out of the tracks. The guidelock may further fit on a second plane of the bias device so that theguide lock is biased by the bias device and may be used as forceps. Thetracks may be located on a side, an edge, or both so that the one ormore working arms, one or more movable members, or both may be movedalong the handpiece. One or more of the one or more tracks may includeone or more guide locks.

The one or more guide locks may function to lock a moveable member, oneor both working arms, or both along a length of the track and/or createa friction force on a moveable member, one or both working arms, or bothso that free movement is prevented. The one or more guide locks mayfunction to prevent movement of one or more working arms, one or moremoveable members, or both in a first electrosurgical position, a secondelectrosurgical position, or a position therebetween. The one or moreguide locks may be a piece that extends into the handpiece and forms aconnection with the track, extends into the track so that a connectionis formed, slides along the track, maintains the moveable member, one orboth working arms, or both within the tracks. Preferably, the one ormore guide locks may laterally extend from one of the one or moreworking arms, the moveable members, or both and assist in maintainingthe one or more working arms, the moveable members, or bothlongitudinally along the handpiece. The one or more guide locks may formany shape so that the guide locks maintain a connection with the tracks,slide along the tracks, or both. The one or more guide locks may be “T”shaped, “1” shaped, “J” shaped, may include one or more barbs thatextend from one or more sides of the guide lock, one or more projectionsthat extend from one or more sides of the guide lock, or a combinationthereof so that the one or more guide locks form a connection with thetracks, contact the tracks, or both. The one or more guide locks maymaintain the moveable member, one or both working arms, or both in aretracted position (e.g., a first electrosurgical configuration), anextended position (e.g., a second electrosurgical configuration), orboth. The retracted position may be any position where the moveablymember, the one or both working arms, or both are moved into contactwith the handpiece, are located a distance from the handpiece, or both.Preferably, in the retracted position the moveable member, one or bothworking arms, or both are moved substantially into contact with thehandpiece so that the moveable member, one or both working arms, or bothare protected from damage. In the extended position the moveable member,one or both working arms, or both may be extended away from thehandpiece. Preferably, when the guide lock is on a working arm, theworking arm is extended away from the handpiece in the extended positionso that the working arm may be used as at least one portion of forceps.The guide lock may assist a working arm in extending towards an opposingworking arm so that the working arms may be used as forceps. The guidelock when on a moveable member may assist in longitudinally moving themoveable member in a desired direction (e.g., a straight line or anarcuate movement). The one or more guide locks may be used inconjunction with one or more track detents.

The one or more track detents may function to lock and/or produce afriction force on a moveable member, one or both working arms, or bothalong the length of the handpiece. The one or more guide locks maycontact one or more track detents so that the track detents and guidelocks may prevent incidental movement of the moveable member, one orboth working arms, or both. The one or more track detents may be anydevice that forms a complementary connection with the guide locks, witha barb on the guide lock, a projection on the guide lock, or acombination thereof. The one or more track detents may function to forma catch point and prevents movement of the moveable member, one or bothworking arms, or both along a longitudinal axis of the handpiece. Theone or more track detents may be a series of peaks and troughs and allor a portion of the guide lock may become embedded within the trough sothat movement of the guide lock is prevented, inhibited, or both. Aplurality of peaks and troughs may be located along a length of the oneor more track detents so that the position of the moveable member, oneor both working arms, or both may be selected by a user. For example,one track detent may be located at an extension end of the handpiecewhen the moveable member, one or both working arms, or both is in anextension position and one track detect may be located at a retractionend of the handpiece when a moveable member, one or both working arms,or both are in a retraction position.

The one or more movable members may be any part of the handpiece thatmay be moved between two or more positions. The one or more movablemembers may be moved between a first position and a second position. Theone or more movable members may be moved between a secondelectrosurgical configuration (e.g., a monopolar configuration) and afirst electrosurgical configuration (e.g., a bipolar configuration) orvice versa. The one or more movable members may be any part of theelectrosurgical device and/or electrosurgical system that may beelectrically reconfigured, mechanically reconfigured, or both. The oneor more movable members may be a monopolar electrode, a first workingarm, a second working arm, a ground pad, or a combination thereof. Theone or more movable members may be electrically connected to a firstpower connector, a second power connector, or both. The moveable membermay be moved between one or more of the positions discussed herein forthe monopolar electrode, the bipolar electrode, or both and theactivation circuit between one or more switch states as discussed hereinso that the moveable member is electrically configured, mechanicallyconfigured, or both in the same configuration as those respectivecomponents. The one or more movable members may be a handpiececomponent.

The one or more handpiece components may be any device that is directlyelectrically connected to the handpiece. For example, a handpiececomponent is electrically connected to the handpiece directly as opposedto indirectly through the generator. The one or more handpiececomponents may be any component that may mechanically reconfigure thehandpiece, be mechanically reconfigured by the handpiece, moved alongthe handpiece, apply a therapy current from the handpiece, or acombination thereof. The one or more handpiece components may beelectrically connected to the handpiece so that power, signals, therapycurrents, or a combination thereof flow directly to and/or from thehandpiece, from the handpiece component without travelling through anintervening device. Preferably, the handpiece component may bephysically located separate from the handpiece but electricallyconnected directly to the handpiece. The one or more handpiececomponents and handpiece may be electrically reconfigurable so that thehandpiece and the handpiece component are electrically connected in someconfigurations and electrically disconnected in some configurations. Theone or more handpiece components may be a first working arm, a secondworking arm, a ground pad, a movable member, or both. Preferably, in oneconfiguration the ground pad is placed discretely from the handpiece butthe ground pad is directly electrically connected to the handpiece suchthat when the handpiece is in a monopolar configuration the ground padis electrically activated. For example, the ground pad may be directlyconnected to a the handpiece via a bypass in the shuttle as opposed tobeing directly connected to a pin in the generator so that the groundpad has no direct connection to the handpiece. The handpiece may providepower to the one or more handpiece components so that the handpiececomponents are not electrically connected directly to a power supply, atherapy current, a generator, or a combination thereof.

The power connectors may be any device that supplies power, a therapycurrent, or both from a power source to the electrosurgical system, theelectrosurgical device, or both so that the electrosurgical system,electrosurgical device, or both may be used for electrosurgery. Theelectrosurgical system, electrosurgical device, the handpiece, or acombination thereof may include one or more, preferably two or more, ormost preferably two power connectors supplying power to theelectrosurgical system, electrosurgical device, the handpiece, or acombination thereof. The therapy current may be any current that isapplied by the electrosurgical device and performs a predeterminedfunction. The therapy current may be monopolar power, bipolar power,coagulation, cutting, hemostasis, or a combination thereof. The therapycurrent may be any application of power that is produced by theelectrosurgical device. The therapy current may be any application ofpower that extends into and through the electrosurgical device from oneor more power connectors. Each of the power connectors may be directlyconnected to a power source, a generator, or both. For example, if theelectrosurgical device has three power connectors and the generator hasthree power connections (e.g., pins) each power connector may be pluggedseparately into its own power connection. The generator may include fourpower connectors (e.g., four pins). The pins may be a bipolar positivepin, a bipolar negative pin, a monopolar active pin, a monopolar returnpin, or a combination thereof. The pins may be connected anddisconnected to each of the electrosurgical device components via a CPUor switches as is discussed herein. Each power connector may beelectrically connected to a single component of the electrosurgicaldevice. Preferably, there are two power connectors supplying power tothe electrosurgical device and the electrosurgical device iselectrically reconfigured between a first position and a secondposition, a first switch state and a second switch state, or acombination of both so that a therapy current and/or power from one ofthe power connectors may be supplied to two or more components of theelectrosurgical device. For example, when the handpiece is in the firstposition, power from the first power connector may be supplied to thefirst working arm and power from the second power connector may besupplied to the second working arm, and when the handpiece is moved intothe second position, the first power connector may be electricallyconnected to the monopolar electrode (e.g., a fixed working arm) and thesecond power connector may be electrically connected to the ground pad.One or more of the power connectors may be indirectly connected to thepower source. For example, if the generator includes two powerconnections and the electrosurgical device includes three powerconnectors, two of the power connectors may be electrically connectedtogether and plugged into a power connector. Two or more powerconnectors may be electrically connected by a jumper.

The jumper may be any device that may electrically connect two or morepower connectors so that the power connectors can be electricallyconnected, signally connected, or both to the generator. The jumper maybe any device that connects two electrical connectors outside of thegenerator so that the two or more electrical connectors may be connectedto the generator. The jumper may be any device that assists inconnecting two or more electrical connectors to a power source agenerator or both. Two or more of the power connectors may beelectrically connected inside of the handpiece, the generator, or bothby one or more connectors.

The one or more connectors may be any device that internally connectstwo power connectors together. The one or more connectors mayelectrically connect the two or more working arms during use so thatpower may be applied through both working arms, so that a completecircuit is formed, or both. The one or more connectors may electricallyconnect both of the working arms together so that one electricalconnector may be used to electrically connect both working arms and oneelectrical connector may extend to another component such as the groundpad, a moveable member, or both. The one or more connectors may beelectrical wiring with the electrosurgical device. The electrical wiringmay be mechanically reconfigured by movement of one or more componentsof the electrosurgical device. For example, the termination points ofthe electrical wiring may be reconfigured when one or both of theworking arms are moved between a monopolar configuration and a bipolarconfiguration. The electrical wiring may be reconfigured when a shuttleof the electrosurgical device (e.g., handpiece) is moved between a firstposition and a second position. The electrical wiring may be configuredso that as one or more of the working arms, the shuttle, or both aremoved the electrical wiring within the working arms, the shuttle, orboth are moved into contact with different power connector and/ordifferent electrical wiring within the working arms, the shuttle, orboth are moved into contact with the power connectors so that the partsof the electrosurgical device are changed. For example, when the shuttleis in a first position both working arms may be directly connected andin a second position one working arm may be powered and one ground padmay be connected by the electrical wiring extending through the secondworking arm. The electrical wiring may include one or more bypasses.

The one or more bypasses may function to extend a power connectorthrough a working arm, a shuttle, or both. The one or more bypasses mayextend power through a shuttle so that the working arm, the shuttle, orboth are not powered and the power extends to and powers a differenthandpiece component. Preferably, the bypass extends through a handpiece,a working arm, a shuttle, or a combination thereof so that powerbypasses the handpiece, the working arm, the shuttle, or a combinationthereof. The bypass may bypass a retracted working arm, connect a groundpad, or both. The bypass may connect an activation button to a groundpad so that the ground pad completes a circuit when power is applied tothe electrosurgical device.

The electrosurgical device, the activation buttons, the handpiece,activation circuit, or a combination thereof may include one or morediodes. The diodes may be in any configuration so that upon pressing ofan activation button, movement of a switch, or both the generator, theelectrosurgical device, or both measures a frequency, a change infrequency, or both so that the generator may determine the activationmode that is being powered. The one or more diodes may adjust a steadystate AC signal from the buttons, the activation circuit, or both sothat the generator supplies the selected therapy current. Preferably,the one or more diodes may be different so that the two or moredifferent frequencies, shifts in frequency, signals, or a combinationthereof are created so that a generator may determine which switches inthe handpiece, the electrosurgical device, the activation buttons, or acombination thereof are open, closed, or both.

The electrosurgical device, generator, handpiece, or a combinationthereof may include one or more transformers. The one or moretransformers may be of any size and shape so that depending on thecurrent path through the one or more transformers, around the one ormore transformers, or both the voltage supplied through to thehandpiece, the electrodes, the working arms, or a combination thereofmay be varied. For example, when in a monopolar configuration thevoltage may be directly delivered to the electrode and when in a bipolarconfiguration the transformer may step down the voltage delivered to theworking arms. Conversely, the transformer may be used to increasevoltage delivered to one or more electrodes.

As discussed herein various circuits may be created by electricallyreconfiguring one or more components of the electrosurgical device,physically configuring one or more components of the electrosurgicaldevice, or both. During use one or more switches may be opened and/orclosed so that one or more open circuits, one or more closed circuits,or both may be formed. For example, a shuttle electrode (e.g., workingarm) may be extended forward so that a connection is formed between theelectrode and a power source and the ground pad and a power source sothat a circuit is completed and an open circuit may be created betweenthe power source and the working arms so that the working arms are notpowered. The circuits may be configured so that a circuit is createdbetween two or more components and the electrosurgical device may beused for a desired type of electrosurgery. The electrosurgicalinstrument may be configured so that power flows from one or moreworking arms to another working arm, the ground pad, or a combination ofboth. The electrosurgical device may be configured with one or morepower connectors, preferably two or more power connectors, and morepreferably three or more power connectors. Each of the power connectorsmay be connected to one or more components, two or more components, oreven three or more components. Each power connector may be switchedbetween one or more components, two or more components, or even three ormore components. The method may include a step of immobilizing one ormore bipolar electrodes, one or more working arms, or bothsimultaneously.

A method of switching the electrosurgical device between a bipolarconfiguration, a monopolar configuration, a non-electrosurgicalconfiguration, or a combination thereof. The method may include one ormore of the steps discussed herein in virtually any order. The methodmay include a step of advancing a shuttle, retracting a shuttle,applying a ground pad, removing a ground pad, reconfiguring a circuit,moving a movable member, or a combination thereof. The method mayinclude a step of applying monopolar power and then immediatelysubsequently applying bipolar power or vice versa. The method mayinclude a step of cutting in a non-electrosurgical configuration andthen applying either monopolar power or bipolar power to coagulate,cauterize, or both without a step of changing instruments. The methodmay include a step of cutting in a monopolar configuration and thencoagulating, cauterizing, or both using bipolar energy without a step ofchanging instruments.

FIG. 1 illustrates the electrosurgical device 2 in a monopolarconfiguration 102. The electrosurgical device 2 is changed into amonopolar configuration 102 when the bipolar arm 30 is moved backwardsinto a monopolar position 22 and only the monopolar electrode 26 remainsextended forward. When the monopolar activation button 42 is pressedpower travels from the monopolar electrode 26 to a return electrode (notshown).

FIG. 2 illustrates an electrosurgical device 2. The electrosurgicaldevice 2 includes a bipolar configuration 100 where the electrosurgicaldevice 2 is configured as forceps 4. The forceps 4 include a pair ofworking arms 6 that transfer power therebetween when the bipolaractivation button 40 is pressed. The bipolar arm 30 is moved into abipolar position 24 so that the bipolar arm 30 and the monopolarelectrode 26 are located proximate to each other.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section of the electrosurgical device 2 alonglines 3-3. The electrosurgical device 2 includes a handpiece 8 thatpower connectors 10 run through to provide power to the monopolarelectrode 26 and the bipolar arm 30 so that monopolar power and/orbipolar power can be used. The bipolar arm 30 includes a guide lock 32that extends between the bipolar arm 30 and the handpiece 8. The guidelock 32 locks the bipolar arm 30 in the bipolar position 24 as shownwhen the bipolar arm 30 is fully extended. The guide lock 32 extendsinto a track 34 that assists in positioning the bipolar arm 30 as thebipolar arm 30 is moved from the bipolar position 24 to the monopolarposition 22 as is illustrated in FIG. 1. The handpiece 8 includes aplurality of track detents 36 that extend along the length of thehandpiece 8 so that as the guide lock 32 is moved between a monopolarposition 22 (as is illustrated in FIG. 1) and a bipolar position 24 (asis illustrated in FIG. 2) or vice versa resistance is applied to theguide lock 32 to provide control and a smooth movement to the user. Abias device 50 is located within the handpiece 8 and extends between thehandpiece 8 and the bipolar arm 30 so that when the bipolar arm 30 ismoved forward into the bipolar position 24 the bias device 50 assists inextending the bipolar arm 30 away from the monopolar electrode 22. Whenin the bipolar position 24 the bias device 50 provides resistance to thebipolar arm 30 so that the bipolar arm 30 is not inadvertently retractedduring use. As illustrated, the bias device 50 is a piece of springsteel that extends from a back side of the handpiece 8 to a front sideof the handpiece 8 so that as the bipolar arm 30 approaches the bipolarposition 24 the bias device 50 curves and produces a force on the guidelock 32 moving the bipolar arm away from the handpiece 8. The biasdevice 50 further acts to move the bipolar arm 30 away from themonopolar electrode 26 so that the working arms can be used as forceps.

FIG. 4 illustrates another configuration of the electrosurgical device 2configured as forceps 4. The electrosurgical device 2 includes ahandpiece 8 with a pair of working arms 6 extending therefrom. One ofthe working arms 6 is a static monopolar electrode 26 that is used forsupplying both monopolar power and bipolar power. The other working arm6 is a bipolar arm 30 that is movable in the direction 36 between abipolar position and a monopolar position. The handpiece 8 includes abipolar activation button 40 and a monopolar activation button 42, and apower connection 52 for providing power to the electrosurgical device 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates an end view of one possible bipolar configuration100. As illustrated, each of the working arms 6 are made of twomaterials. The outer portion of both of the working arms 6 is made of amaterial with insulating thermal conductivity 90. The monopolarelectrode 26 includes a material with low thermal conductivity 94located within the material with insulating thermal conductivity 90. Thebipolar arm 30 includes a material with insulating thermal conductivity90 around the outside, but is free of the material with insulatingthermal conductivity 90 in a contact region 96 so that the material withhigh thermal conductivity 92 is exposed.

FIG. 6 illustrated the monopolar configuration 102. As illustrated themonopolar electrode 26 includes a material with insulating thermalconductivity 90 around an outside of the monopolar electrode 28 with amaterial with low thermal conductivity 94 extending beyond the materialwith the insulating conductivity 90 so that monopolar power can besupplied.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the electrosurgical device 2 during use inthe bipolar configuration 100. FIG. 7A illustrates the pair of workingarms 6 having a material with insulating thermal conductivity 90 and amaterial with high thermal conductivity 92. The working arms 6 are showngripping tissue 200 in the contact region 96 so that power flows fromone working arm 6 through the tissue 200 to the other working arm 6.

FIG. 7B is a circuit diagram illustrating one possible bipolar circuitconfiguration 100 of the electrosurgical device 2. The electrosurgicaldevice 2 is connected to a voltage source 64, and power flows through aswitch 60 through the working arms 6 so that a completed circuit isformed. When the switch 60 is moved so that a circuit is formed betweenthe two working arms 6 an open circuit 62 is formed between the circuitand the ground pad 66 so that the ground pad 66 is electricallydisconnected. As illustrated, the power flows 68 from one working arm 6thorough tissue 200 (not shown) located in the contact region 96 to theother working arm 6.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the electrosurgical device 2 in a monopolarconfiguration 102. FIG. 8A illustrates the monopolar electrode 26 havingpower flow 68 to a ground pad 66, at a distal location, through tissue200 (not shown). As illustrated, the monopolar electrode 26 includes anouter material having insulating thermal conductivity 90 and an innermaterial having low thermal conductivity 94 and the power flows from theinner material having low thermal conductivity 94 that is exposed at anend of the monopolar electrode 26.

FIG. 8B illustrates a circuit diagram showing one possible monopolarcircuit configuration 102 of the electrosurgical device 2. Theelectrosurgical device 2 is connected to a voltage source 64, and powerflows 68 through a switch 60 from the voltage source 64 to the groundpad 66. When the switch 60 is moved into the monopolar configuration 102an open circuit 62 is formed between the voltage source 64 and a bipolararm 30 so that the bipolar portion of the circuit and associated workingarm 6 is disconnected and is free of power. When power is applied to themonopolar electrode 26 power flows 68 from the monopolar electrode 26through tissue 200 (not shown) to the ground pad 66. The bipolar arm 30and the monopolar electrode 26 as illustrated are made of differentmaterials; however, they may be made of the same material. The bipolararm 30 and the monopolar electrode 26 as illustrated have cross-sectionswith a different shape; however, the cross-sections may have the sameshape (see e.g., FIGS. 2-4 and 9-13).

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrates mechanical reconfiguration of theelectrosurgical device between a bipolar configuration 100 and amonopolar configuration 102. FIG. 9A illustrates the electrosurgicaldevice 2 in the bipolar configuration 100 with the working arms 6 bothextended. The electrosurgical device 2 includes an activation circuit 80that has an activation button 38 in a first switch state 82 forming anopen circuit 62 so that the electrosurgical device 2 is off. Theactivation circuit 80 is connected to the generator 150 via a pair ofpins 152 that connect to an internal switch and/or central processingunit (CPU) 74. The internal switch and/or CPU 74 is connected to avoltage source 64 that supplies power to the electrosurgical devicethrough a pair of pins 152 that connect the electrosurgical device 2 tothe generator 150. The pair of working arms 6 are in the bipolarconfiguration 100 and a ground pad 66 is located adjacent to the workingarms 6.

FIG. 9B illustrates the electrosurgical device 2 in a bipolarconfiguration 100 with the working arms 6 both extended. Theelectrosurgical device 2 includes an activation circuit 80 that has theactivation button 38 in the second switch state 84 forming a closedcircuit so that power 68 flows between the working arms 6. Theactivation button 38 when moved to the second switch state 84 supplies asignal to the generator 150 though the pins 152 so that internal switchand/or CPU 74 provides a signal and power is supplied from the powersource 62 though both pins 152 to both working arms 6. Power 72 flowsfrom the generator to each of the working arms 6 and power 68 flowsbetween each of the working arms 6, however, as illustrated power 68does not flow to the adjacent ground pad 66.

FIG. 9C illustrates the electrosurgical device 2 in the monopolarconfiguration 102 with one working arm 6 (a monopolar electrode 26) thatis extended and one working arm 6 (a bipolar arm 30) that retracted inthe direction 46. The activation circuit 80 includes an activationbutton 38 that is in the second switch state 84 forming a closed circuitand sending a signal to an internal switch and/or CPU 74 so that power68 flows between the extended working arm 6 (monopolar electrode 26) andthe ground pad 66. The activation button 38 when moved to the secondswitch state 84 supplies a signal to the generator through the pins 152so that power is supplied from the power source 62 in the direction 72through one pin to the monopolar electrode 26 and returned from theground pad 66 in the direction 72 through the second pin 152.

FIG. 10A-10D illustrate another example of an electrosurgical device 2changing between a bipolar configuration 100 and a monopolarconfiguration 102 and a cut configuration and a coagulationconfiguration. FIG. 10A illustrates an activation circuit 80 including afirst activation button 40 and a second activation button 42. Both thefirst activation button 40 and the second activation button 42 are open62 so that the electrosurgical device 2 is off. The activation circuit80 is connected to a generator 150 by a plurality of pins 154. Theplurality of pins 154 connect the activation circuit 80 to an internalswitch and/or CPU 74 which when activated provides power to theelectrosurgical device 2 through pins 152. As illustrated, the switches60 are in a neutral position 70 so that power does not flow from thevoltage source 64 to the electrosurgical device 2 (alternatively theseswitches may be open or closed and the circuit will still be off, whenthe activation circuit 80 has an open circuit 62). The plurality of pins152 between the generator 150 and the electrosurgical device 2 include abipolar positive pin 152A, a bipolar negative pin 152B, a monopolaractive pin 152C, and a monopolar return pin 152D so that the workingarms 6 and ground pad 66 are electrically connected to the generator150.

FIG. 10B illustrates the working arms 6 of the electrosurgical device 2in a bipolar configuration 100 with power 68 extending between theworking arms 6. The electrosurgical device 2 includes an activationcircuit 80 with a first activation button 40 which is closed and asecond activation button 42 that is open 62. Upon a signal beingprovided from the activation circuit 80 to the internal switch and/orCPU 74 sends signals and/or movement of the bipolar arm 30 so that theswitch 60 is moved to the bipolar positive pin 152A. Similarly, theother switch 60 is moved to the bipolar negative pin 152B. The monopolarelectrode 26 and bipolar arm 30 both remain extended and power 68 flowsin the direction 72 from a bipolar positive pin 152A and the bipolarnegative pin 152B between the working arms 6.

FIG. 10C illustrates a monopolar electrode 26 extended and a bipolar arm30 retracted in the direction 46 so that power travels along the path 72from bipolar positive pin 152A and power travels from bipolar negativepin 152B along path 72 so that a coagulation signal is generated whenthe first activation button of the activation circuit 80 is closed. Theremaining configuration of the electrosurgical device 2 remains the sameas FIG. 10B except for the bipolar arm 30 being retracted.

FIG. 10D illustrates a reconfiguration from the power 68 being acoagulation signal as is shown in FIG. 10C to a cut signal as is shownin FIG. 10D. As configured the second activation button 42 is closed andthe first activation button 40 is open. When the circuit in thegenerator 150 is reconfigured the switch 60 that is connected to themonopolar electrode is switched from bipolar positive pin 152A tomonopolar active pin 152C so that power travels in the direction 72, andthe other switch 60 is switched from the bipolar negative pin 152B tothe monopolar return pin 152D.

FIGS. 11A through 11D illustrate an example of reconfiguration from amonopolar configuration 102 to a bipolar configuration 100. FIG. 11Aillustrates an electrosurgical device 2 in a bipolar configuration 100.The electrosurgical device 2 includes an activation circuit 80 that isconnected to a generator via a plurality of ports 154. The activationcircuit 80 includes an activation button 38 and a selector 58 and asillustrated the activation button 38 is open such that no power issupplied to the working arms. As illustrated the activation button 38transmits a signal through upper port 154A and the selector 58 transmitsa signal through the lower port 154C and the middle port 154B is notconnected to any switches. The signal is transmitted through the ports154 to the internal switch and/or CPU 74. A signal passes from theinternal switch and/or CPU 74 to the voltage source 64 so that powerpasses from the voltage source 64 through the switches 60 and throughthe bipolar positive pin 152A and the bipolar negative pin 152B.

FIG. 11B illustrates an activation circuit 80 with the activation button38 being closed so that a signal passes through the upper port 154A andthe selector 58, which is closed so that a signal passes through thelower port 154C to complete a circuit. The middle port 154B has an opencircuit 62. The signal passes through the ports 154 to the internalswitch and/or CPU 74 so that the voltage source 64 supplies power in thedirection 72 to the working arms 6 via the bipolar positive pin 152A andthe bipolar negative pin 152B.

FIG. 11C illustrates reconfiguration from FIG. 11B where the selector 58is moved from the lower pin 154C to the middle pin 1548 so that adifferent voltage, current, power, duty cycle, frequency or acombination thereof are sent from the generator 150 to theelectrosurgical device 2. A signal passes through the activated ports154A and 154B of the activation circuit 80 to the internal switchingand/or CPU 74. The internal switching and/or CPU 74 transmits a signalso that the voltage source 64 supplies power in the direction 72 to theworking arms 6 via the bipolar positive pin 152A and the bipolarnegative pin 152B. Further, the bipolar arm 30 is moved in the direction46. The movement of the bipolar arm 30 in the direction 46 changes theposition of the switches so that one switch moves from the bipolarpositive pin 152A to the monopolar active pin 152C and the other switch60 is moved from the bipolar negative pin 152B to the monopolar returnpin 152C so that power 68 extends from the monopolar electrode 26 to theground pad 66.

FIG. 11D illustrates reconfiguration from FIG. 11C where the workingarms 6 and electrosurgical device 2 are changed from a bipolarconfiguration to a monopolar configuration 102 with the monopolarelectrode 26 extended and the bipolar arm 30 retracted in the direction46. Power 68 extends from the monopolar electrode 26 to the ground pad66. The selector 58 is moved in communication with the middle port 154Band the activation button 38 is closed so that a complete circuit isformed and a signal flows through the upper port 154A of the activationcircuit 80 to the internal switch and/or CPU 74 of the generator 150.The lower port 154C is open so that the lower port 154C does not formpart of the circuit. The internal switch and/or CPU 74 sends a signal sothat the voltage source 64 supplies power through the switches 60 whichare in communication with the monopolar active pin 152C and themonopolar return pin 152D so that power flows in the direction 72 to theground pad 66 and the monopolar electrode 26 respectively.

FIGS. 12A through 12C illustrate a mechanical reconfiguration of anelectrosurgical device 2 from a bipolar configuration 100 to a monopolarconfiguration 102. The electrosurgical device 2 includes a pair ofworking arms 8 connected to a generator 150. FIG. 12A illustrates themonopolar electrode 26 and the bipolar arm 30 aligned so that power 68flows between the working arms 6. The bipolar arm 30 is connected to ahandpiece 8 that includes different electrical wiring such as a bypass12. The bipolar arm 30 and handpiece 8 are connected to the generator150 so that power flows in the direction 72 through a bipolar arm 30.The monopolar electrode 26 is connected to the generator 150 so thatpower flows in the direction 72 from the voltage source 64. Thegenerator 150 includes switches 60 so that the generator is electricallyreconfigured based upon the position of the switches. 60. The top switch60 directly feeds the monopolar electrode 26 and the bottom switchdirectly feeds the bipolar arm 30 and the ground pad 66 has an opencircuit 62 so that power is not supplied to the ground pad 66.

FIG. 12B illustrates the switches 60 in the same position as FIG. 12Aand the bipolar arm 30 retracted in the direction 46 so that a bypass 12is aligned with the flow of power 72 from the generator 150. The powerextends in a serpentine pattern 72 through the bypass 12 and to theground pad 66 so that a circuit is completed and power 68 can flow fromthe monopolar electrode 26 to the ground pad 66.

FIG. 12C illustrates the bipolar arm 30 retracted in the direction 46and the switches 60 varied so that the ground pad 66 is directlyconnected to the voltage source 64 and power flows to the monopolarelectrode 26 in the direction 72. The ground pad 66 is indirectlyconnected to the voltage source 64 through the bypass 12 in thehandpiece 8 of monopolar electrode 26 so that power flows from themonopolar electrode 26 to the ground pad 66.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrates a cord management system of theelectrosurgical device 2 with the electrosurgical device 2 in a bipolarconfiguration 100. The handpiece 8 includes a pair of working arms 6 andthe working arms 6 are connected to a cable that connects the handpiece8 to the generator 150. The cord includes lines A, B, and C. that extendfrom and connect to the handpiece 8. The cord splits into three prongsthat connect to the generator 150. Lines A extends into the prong atpoint D and line B extends into the same prong at point E which isproximate to point D. Line F splits from between lines A and D andconnects to a prong at point G. Line C extends from the handpiece 8 andcreates a jumper 14 between the handpiece 8 and the ground pad 66 andalso connects to prong H so that the ground pad 66 is connected to thegenerator 150.

FIG. 13B illustrates a full length of the cord of the electrosurgicaldevice 2 of FIG. 13A. The cords are connected to the workings arms 6,which are in the bipolar configuration 100. Three cords extend from theworking arms and connect to three plugs that plug into the generator(not shown). The monopolar electrode 26 is connected to a single cordthat extends therefrom and includes a line C, which connects to a jumper14 that connects line C to plug H and to the ground pad 66 at line I.The bipolar arm 30 is connected to cords A and B and cord A splits sothat cord A has one line D that connects to a first plug and anotherline G that attaches to a second plug and lines D and G are connected bya line F. Line B is connected to the same plug as line D via line E.

Any numerical values recited herein include all values from the lowervalue to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that thereis a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and anyhigher value. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of acomponent or a value of a process variable such as, for example,temperature, pressure, time and the like is, for example, from 1 to 90,preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intendedthat values such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc. areexpressly enumerated in this specification. For values which are lessthan one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 asappropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intendedand all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowestvalue and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to beexpressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and allnumbers between the endpoints. The use of “about” or “approximately” inconnection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, “about20 to 30” is intended to cover “about 20 to about 30”, inclusive of atleast the specified endpoints.

The disclosures of all articles and references, including patentapplications and publications, are incorporated by reference for allpurposes. The term “consisting essentially of” to describe a combinationshall include the elements, ingredients, components or steps identified,and such other elements ingredients, components or steps that do notmaterially affect the basic and novel characteristics of thecombination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” todescribe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or stepsherein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of theelements, ingredients, components or steps. By use of the term “may”herein, it is intended that any described attributes that “may” beincluded are optional.

Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided by asingle integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively,a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step might bedivided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps.The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element, ingredient,component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements,ingredients, components or steps.

It is understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments as well as manyapplications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those ofskill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of theteachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to theabove description, but should instead be determined with reference tothe appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to whichsuch claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles andreferences, including patent applications and publications, areincorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in thefollowing claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosedherein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it beregarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to bepart of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

We claim:
 1. An electrosurgical device comprising: forceps having: afirst working arm, a second working arm, an immobilization feature, anda handpiece that a user grips during use and the handpiece includes atrack that the second working arm moves along so that the second workingarm is extendable and retractable; wherein the electrosurgical devicehas a first electrosurgical configuration where the first working armand the second working arm are in an opposed position so that theforceps deliver a first therapy current that flows between the firstworking arm and the second working arm; wherein the electrosurgicaldevice has a second electrosurgical configuration when the first workingarm, the second working arm, or both are repositionable relative to eachother so that the first working arm is extended with respect to thesecond working arm or vice versa and a second therapy current isdelivered from the first working arm to a remote electrode; wherein thesecond working arm is immobilized in the second electrosurgicalconfiguration by the immobilization feature so that the first workingarm and the second working arm are locked together and the forceps aredisabled and the second working arm is locked in a retracted positionwhere the second working arm is moved into contact with the handpiece;and wherein the immobilization feature is a guide lock extending fromthe second working arm and the guide lock extends into the track so thatthe first working arm and the second working arm are prevented frommoving relative to each other and the guide lock and the track guide thesecond working arm along the handpiece and assist in locking the secondworking arm proximate to the handpiece so that the second working arm isnot damaged in the second electrosurgical configuration.
 2. Theelectrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the first working arm islongitudinally static and the second working arm is retractable.
 3. Theelectrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the handpiece includes one ormore track detents along the track so that during movement of the secondworking arm, the guide lock forms a connection with one of the one ormore track detents to temporarily maintain the second working arm alonga length of the track.
 4. The electrosurgical device of claim 3, whereinthe one or more guide locks include one or more projections that extendfrom one or more sides of the guide lock and the one or more projectionsextend into the one or more track detents to restrict longitudinalmovement of the second working arm along the first working arm.
 5. Theelectrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein a bias device is locatedwithin the handpiece so that when the second working arm is fullyextended the bias device extends a guide lock of the second working armfrom the track in the handpiece.
 6. The electrosurgical device of claim5, wherein the bias device is ramped so that the bias device biases thesecond working arm away from the handpiece so that the forceps areformed and the first working arm and the second working arm are biasedaway from each other.
 7. The electrosurgical device of claim 6, whereinthe second working arm is electrically disabled when the second workingarm is retracted.
 8. The electrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein thesecond working arm is retractable along a longitudinal axis of theelectrosurgical device.
 9. The electrosurgical device of claim 1,wherein during retraction of the second working arm, the second workingarm is moved towards the first working arm and then along a longitudinalaxis of the electrosurgical device.
 10. The electrosurgical device ofclaim 1, wherein the first working arm includes a first material with afirst thermal conductivity and the second working arm includes a secondmaterial with a second thermal conductivity, and the first thermalconductivity is higher than the second thermal conductivity.
 11. Theelectrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the first working arm and thesecond working arm are connected together by the handpiece and theimmobilization feature locks the second working arm in the secondelectrosurgical configuration so that the second working arm iscompressed against the handpiece.
 12. An electrosurgical devicecomprising: forceps having: a first working arm, a second working arm,and an immobilization feature; wherein the electrosurgical device has afirst electrosurgical configuration where the first working arm and thesecond working arm are in an opposed position so that the forcepsdeliver a first therapy current that flows between the first working armand the second working arm; wherein the electrosurgical device has asecond electrosurgical configuration when the first working arm, thesecond working arm, or both are repositionable relative to each other sothat the first working arm is extended with respect to the secondworking arm or vice versa and a second therapy current is delivered fromthe first working arm to a remote electrode; and wherein the secondworking arm is immobilized in the second electrosurgical configurationby the immobilization feature so that the first working arm and thesecond working arm are locked together and the forceps are disabled andthe second working arm is locked in a retracted position where thesecond working arm is moved into contact with the handpiece; wherein theimmobilization feature includes one or more guide locks connected to andextending from the first working arm or the second working arm, the oneor more guide locks being movable into and out of a handpiece of theforceps when the electrosurgical device is in the first electrosurgicalconfiguration, and the one or more guide locks are located within theforceps when the electrosurgical device is in the second electrosurgicalconfiguration so that the one or more guide locks lock the first workingarm and the second working arm together and the second working arm islocked in the retracted position.
 13. The electrosurgical device ofclaim 12, wherein the first working arm, the second working arm, or bothare retractable along a longitudinal axis of the electrosurgical device.14. The electrosurgical device of claim 3, wherein the first working armis static and the second working arm is retractable.
 15. Theelectrosurgical device of claim 12, wherein the forceps have a handpiecethat a user grips during use and the handpiece includes a track that thesecond working arm moves along so that the second working arm isextendable and retractable.
 16. The electrosurgical device of claim 15,the guide lock extends into the track so that the guide lock and thetrack guide the second working arm along the handpiece and assist inlocking the second working arm proximate to the handpiece so that thesecond working arm is not damaged in the second electrosurgicalconfiguration.
 17. The electrosurgical device of claim 12, wherein theone or more guide locks include one or more projections that extend fromone or more sides of the guide lock, include one or more barbs extendingfrom one or more sides of the guide lock, are “T” shaped, or acombination thereof.
 18. The electrosurgical device of claim 12, whereinthe forceps include: a. a handpiece that connects the first working armand the second working arm and b. a bias device is located within thehandpiece; wherein the bias device is ramped so that as the secondworking arm moves along the handpiece, the one or more guide lockscontact the bias device and biases the second working arm away from thefirst working arm, and the bias device provides resistance to the secondworking arm as the second working arm is moved towards the first workingarm.